METRO WORLD NEWS
travel we live where you’re going
01
Monday, 03 January 2011 www.metrotravel.com
TRAVEL Hot snow
boots for cool girls
MONDAY, 03 JANUARY 2011
+
we live where you’re going
GO OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ON BICYCLE IN CUBA {page 03}
www.metrotravel.com
plus
{page 06}
What’s inside
Our hipster’s guide to her Paris {page 02}
Surf and Turf in Jamaica
Cycling around Cuba {page 03}
Hot boots for chilly girls {page 06}
{page 04}
JAMAICA TOURISM
Top 5 Thai Islands {page 05} + Hipster’s guide to Paris {page 02}
Surf and Turf in Jamaica {page 04}
JAMAICA TOURISM
travel
02
www.metrotravel.com MONDAY, 03 JANUARY 2011
GET INTO MY CITY: PARIS There’s no better way to get under the skin of a city than by being guided by a hip local. Trendsetting Parisienne Nadege Winter turns everything she touches to cool — from knitting to rave-dancing exercise classes — as a brand, events and communications consultant, DJ, designer, nightlife scenester and ‘glam-green’ environmentalist. She reveals her favourite NADEGE WINTER METRO FRANCE spots in the city of love.
Hipster’s guide to Paris I
GETTY IMAGES
'm a real Parisian girl and to me, Paris is and will always be a city of love and lovers—it may be a cliché but a beautiful one. The architecture, bridges over the Seine, the history and art, everything about it is fascinating. I love walking in the streets and crossing the Seine through Pont des Arts or Pont Neuf, especially early in the morning when the sun is coming out, or else in the evening. I used to be a ‘Rive Droite’ girl (Le Marais, Montmartre, St-Honoré..), but
this past year I have become a ‘Rive Gauche’ woman. I never thought I could cross the ‘sea’ and adapt but since becoming a mother I enjoy living a stone’s throw away from the Jardin du Luxembourg and St Germain. The pace of life is much slower in this part of Paris. It’s still very touristy but the feeling of bourgeoisie lingers in the air. For more information check out parisinfo.com
First time? Stop over the Pont Neuf and take a deep breath of Paris. Don't forget to stop at the Louvre and the hip boutiques including Colette, Beaubourg and Bon Marché. When you’re in need of a break pause for an espresso at Café de Flore (www.cafedeflore.fr).
GETTY IMAGES
The Louvre
Been there before? Pretend you’re a Parisian and either rent a flat or stay at the Hotel Amour (www.hotelamourparis.fr) Go to the organic market on the Boulevard Raspail to stock up on fresh soups and homemade muffins — everything here is fresh. Cross the Luxembourg gardens and have lunch at Flore (www.cafedeflore.fr) (I never tire of this place) and then cross the Seine over to the Marais. Spend your time looking around the shops and then stop for a coffee at
WWW.CAFEDEFLORE.FR
Cafe de Flore
Cafe Charlot (38 Rue de Bretagne). Later, go for dinner at chic bistro the Comptoir du Relais (9 Carrefour de l’Odeon).
Point Neuf
Shopping!
Stay in
The shops around the Marais are the best. You find everything from small designer shops to concept or vintage stores including Shine, APC, Isabel Marant and Surface to Air. Closer to the centre I shop around rue St Honoré, in Colette, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kitsune, Ludo and Palais Royal. St Germain is the best if you are with children and my favourites are Talc, Serendipity, Bonton, Bonpoint and Pic Nidouille.
Hotel Amour in Montmartre, a hip hotel with rooms designed by trendy artists and a laidback brasserie open to all. Rooms from euros 100. www.hotelamourparis.fr
Go out Let your hair down at the trendy new le Pompon restaurant and club at 39 rue des Petites Ecuries in the 10th arrondissement.
Colette
www.lepompon.fr
WWW.CAFEDEFLORE.FR
WWW.HOTELAMOURPARIS.FR FLICKR CC BLOGGYBOULGA
MARGOT CIROU
Rose Bakery
Eat The famous and fabulous dine at Cafe de Flore
Rose Bakery has amazing organic cakes and soups (46 Rue des Martyrs) and at Bob's Juice Bar I go for the
Bar Hollow
quinoa salad and vegetable juice (www.bobsjuicebar.com). For a typical French dinner go to Comptoir du Relais for the daily special or else their steak, classic and amazing. All guilty pleasures will be satisfied at the bakery Horror Picture Tea (http://horrorpicturetea.co m) for one of their delicious Krueger tartes.
Paris is for lovers
03
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 03 JANUARY 2011
TRAVEL WITH A TWIST: CYCLING IN CUBA EXPLORE TRAVEL
Will’s cycling buddies take a breather from their long tour of the Cuba countryside
Hammering Havana There’s more to Cuba than Che Guevara and vintage American cars in Havana Discover the countryside up close with a bicycle tour The landscape is stunning A cycling tour of Cuba gives you a great excuse to meet the locals
WILL HIDE
METRO WORLD NEWS TRAVEL@METRO.LU
“Millions of Cubans own bikes... it’s a great way of bonding with locals” A heavy downpour would normally send me racing for cover, but after a day cycling west of Havana in temperatures around 30c, rain was a welcome relief. Sudden showers aside, Cuba is a great place to go cycling. The landscape is generally flat and even if you hit a hill, there’s the lure of the downhill glide to keep your spirits from flagging, plus it’s always warm enough to wear shorts and T-shirt. The trade embargo against the country put in place by the USA means there are few cars on the road. This means that millions of Cubans own bikes
EXPLORE TRAVEL
themselves which makes it a great way of bonding with the locals. After a few days sightseeing in Havana, I joined a group employing pedal power for a tour round old colonial towers, through tropical forests, past coffee plantations and tobacco fields. Our average distance was 38km a day. After a leisurely breakfast, we’d set off past men driving donkey and carts, and cycle for the morning (sometimes along car-free motorways), before stopping for a picnic lunch of moros y cristianos (rice and beans) and just-picked bananas. As well as visiting
3
THINGS TO DO FOR CHEAP (OR FREE!)
the Bay of Pigs (site of the illfated invasion by US forces in 1961) we stopped at Cienfuegos, a town founded by French immigrant farmers in the early 19th century. Trinidad was another highlight, with its cobbled stone streets, colonial buildings and fantastic live music. A few days cycling in Cuba will certainly make you fitter, but more importantly, get you closer to the fascinating country. All in all it’s as much a revelation as a revolution. For more information check out www.cubaniatravel.com
Quick tips
EAT
La Torre restaurant in Vedado (Havana) has great views and serves dishes such as lobster or roast pork. 36th floor at Calle 17
SHOP A bottle of Caney rum is a good gift to bring home and costs around €20.
STAY Cuba is full of beautiful old churches
FLICKR CC WAGNER T. CASSIMIRO "ARANHA"
Hotel Plaza in Vedado, is one of the oldest hotels in the city. Doubles start from 38 euro per night. www.hotelplazacuba.com Hotel Sevilla is close to the Museo de Bellas Artes and Old Havana. Doubles start from 93 euro per night. www.hotelsevillacuba.com
TIPS
CIGAR MUSEUM
DRINK MOJITOS
TAKE A PHOTO
Calle Mercaderes
Bodeguita del Medio
Plaza de la Revolucion
Visit the cigar museum on Calle Mercaderes, and of course you can always buy a few to take home.
Grab a mojito at the Bodeguita del Medio – like Salvador Allende and Ernest Hemingway have before.
Have your photo taken underneath an iconic mural of Che Guevara in Plaza de la Revolucion.
Cuba has two currencies the Peso, used mostly by locals, and the Convertible Peso, which is essentially for tourists. If you’re here between November and April, catch a baseball game – it’s the national sport and great fun. Tickets cost around CUC 2.
04
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 03 JANUARY 2011
GOURMET TRAVELLER: JAMAICA
Jamaica’s cuisine — more than jerk pork Be sure to escape your all-inclusive hotel and discover what’s on the menu in this colourful Caribbean country You can eat well on any budget Seafood is best in the South Learn how to cook jerk at Jake’s in Treasure Beach 0JAMAICAN TOURIST BOARDX
RYAN BORROFF
Quick tips
EAT
METRO WORLD NEWS
For what is arguably the finest dinner view in Jamaica of the natural Kingston Harbour, Strawberry Hill Plantation is 3,000 feet up in the sub tropical Blue Mountains at a former home of record producer Chris Blackwell. The restaurant – which specialises in new Jamaican cuisine – is where Kingston's wealthy go to eat and breathe the cleanest air in Jamaica. www.islandoutpost.com
TRAVEL@METRO.LU
“Even by the roadside great food can be eaten for very little money” If you thought Jamaican food began and ended with jerk chicken, you'll be greatly surprised by the colour and quality of the cuisine in Jamaica. Ackee and saltfish may be the national dish but it's really the least interesting dish in Jamaica. Price-wise you can eat as well as you can afford – there are some world-class restaurants in Jamaica – but even by the roadside great food can be eaten for very little money. Jamaica’s famous jerk meat is best near the capital Kingston and around the north coast while the best seafood can be found on the quieter south coast. For award-winning jerk chicken try Scotchies at Drax Hall, near Ocho Rios, just east of Montego Bay. Here jerk meat is cooked the traditional way in a pit in the ground – using
5
DISHES TO TRY... WHEN YOU’RE ON THE IRIE ISLAND
STAY Jakes is cool, quiet and relatively affordable. Situated in the sleepy fishing village of Treasure Beach on Jamaica’s south coast, Jakes is laid back, with brightly-decorated cottages and rooms and sunn staff. Jack Sprats which serves seafood, genuinely great pizza and home made ice cream. From $99 www.islandoutpost.com
Eating in Jamaica is as much fun as meeting the locals
tree bark to flavour the meat. It's a no-frills, roadside eatery where you eat at tables open-air. Similarly, you can sample the delicious vegan ‘Ital’ food that is the diet of the clean-living Rastafarian. It is pure, unprocessed anddelicious, with dishes including tasty vegetarian stews, curries and fresh
juices. Find it at street stalls throughout the country. For fish head to the south coast to Alligator Pond. The beach is lined with food stalls which cater to local fishermen. The Little Ochie Pub is considered the best. Here seafood including fresh snapper, lobster and crab are plucked from an ice
chest and cooked fresh. Try Devon House in Kingston for homemade ice cream. The beautiful 18thcentury mansion is also home to one of Kingston's best restaurants 'Norma’s On the Terrace,’ And if you fancy a bit of self-catering why not try spearing your own parrot
VISIT JAMAICA
FLICKR CC SMAKU
FLICKR CC GIRL INTERRUPTED EATING
ACKEE AND SALTFISH Served for breakfast or dinner the national dish of Ackee and Saltfish takes salt cod and fries it with boiled ackee, onions, scotch bonnet bell peppers, tomatoes, and spices. It is often served with boiled green bananas which are also delicious.
JERK CHICKEN
CURRIED GOAT
Possibly the world's favourite Jamaican food, jerk chicken and its sibling jerk pork, are Jamaica's BBQ staple. Meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a very hot spice mixture before being grilled over aromatic hardwood charcoal, usually in a steel drum jerk pan.
Traditionally a popular party dish, goat curry may not be originally from Jamaica at all despite being so closely-associated with the island. It's not as spicy as some other Jamaican food and is usually served with rice and fried plantain. It's also as healthy as it's a low-fat red meat.
fish then frying it on the beach with a little Pickapepper Sauce. If you’re staying at Jake's in Treasure Beach, ask a local fisherman to take you fishing, or try the hotel’s cookery course. For more information check out www.visitjamaica.com
TRAVELLING Some people are worried by Jamaica’s reputation for crime, but it’s safe to visit if you steer clear of the dangerous neighbourhoods of Kingston and make sure you do your research.
VISIT JAMAICA
PEPPERED SHRIMP
PEANUT PORRIDGE
How this dish can taste as good as it does is anyone's guess - it's essentially made only from shrimp, garlic, scotch bonnet pepper and vinegar. The prawns are as fresh as can be and it's sprinkled with some authentic Jamaican magic. Ya Mon!
It may be an acquired taste but it's as Jamaican as food gets. Cheap and filling it's often sold by the side of the road. Basically it's a porridge made from boiled peanuts, cornmeal and oatmeal and it tastes of peanuts. A lot.
www.metrotravel.com
travel
05
MONDAY, 03 JANUARY 2011
TOP 5: THAI ISLANDS
A paradise isle for every activity There are hundreds of Thai islands to choose from Each one offers a different kind of great experience, from adventure, romance or nightlife Wherever you are, you’ll enjoy beautiful beaches, food and friendly hospitality
TOM MARCHANT BLACKTOMATO.CO.UK TRAVEL@METRO.LU
“Relax on your private beach, go to the centre to find stunning waterfalls or get in some diving” The best thing about the Thai islands is that there seems to be another one for every type of holiday. Diving, peace and quiet, a place that never sleeps, adventure…no problem. The Western and Eastern islands have their own vibe, so you can pick and choose exactly what it is you want. Perfect. For more information check out www.tour ismthailand.org
1
2
3
4
5
PHUKET
KOH CHANG
KOH PHA-NGAN
KOH KOOD
THE SIMILANS
This is Thailand’s largest island, so no surprise that it also has the most varied nightlife. Head to the north of the island for chic VIP bars and buzzing clubs. Other parts of the island run the gamut of night time hotspots so there is plenty to explore. After a night out, my favourite place on the island to rest my head is the Andara Villas. The private beach is perfect for peaceful afternoons with a book. Get a connection from Bangkok and you can head straight to the hotel from Phuket’s own local airport. Practically hassle-free.
Koh Chang is a close neighbour to a lot of other islands in Thailand, and the best way to explore them? By kayak. Or stick to Koh Chang and bring some boots for the ultimate island hiking experience through jungle and past waterfalls. If you’re not up for the walk, you can always ride an elephant through. Getting here is easy from Bangkok, a short ferry ride away. Aiyapura Resort & Spa is the perfect spot, with acres of space, plenty of beachfront and everything from meditation to cooking classes, you’ll have everything you need.
Away from Haad Rin beach, Koh Pha Ngan is full of just about everything an island holiday needs. Relax on your private beach, go to the centre to find stunning waterfalls or get in some great diving and snorkelling. A cold drink at one of the many family-run bamboo bars is the perfect end to a day here. The Rasanada hotel prides themselves in their barefoot indulgence (www.rasananda.com). The easiest way to get there is a flight connection from Bangkok to Koh Samui. There are ferries, or Rasanada’s own speedboat will escort you to your villa.
There are no huge resorts on this lesser-known island, no 7-11 or even a bank. Most of the island is covered in coconut and rubber tree plantations so the island feels very undiscovered. Explore the ancient temple or the three-tiered waterfall; or simply laze on the pristine beaches. Take an afternoon snorkel before a fresh seafood dinner under the unbelievably clear night sky. From Bangkok, get a plane or bus connection to Trat, then head to Laem Ngob pier by taxi, and hop on a ferries headed to Koh Kood.
This group of nine islands is in the Top 5 diving spots in the world. This is Thailand’s best place for scuba. The waters are teeming with marine life, and each island has its own look and feel. You won’t stop being amazed by what’s under the waves here. Khao Lak is the best place to stay in order to visit the Similan islands. The JW Marriott Resort & Spa is a gorgeous option. From Bangkok, it’s easy to hop on a connection to Phuket airport and grab a local taxi from there to your hotel. Or you could always treat yourself to a private car.
Best Nightlife
Best Adventure
Best Overall
Best Romance
Best Diving
06
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 03 JANUARY 2011
GADGETS: MOONBOOTS
3
SNOW BOOTS TO STOP HOT GIRLS GETTING COLD FEET
1 BARTS QUILTED FUR BOOT Adopt a celebrity-style apres-ski look without the price tag, with these retro-chic moonboots from Barts. Opt for the black or white quilted version, which look much like the Marc Jacobs equivalent, or pick my favourite, with all-over faux-bunny fur. €69,99, barts.eu
2 SOREL JOAN OF ARCTIC BOOT If you don’t want to take any chances on the temperature, then Canadian brand Sorel is your boot. The Joan of Arctic boot will keep your toes warm down to temperature of -25°. You’ll also look glamorous, thanks to the cool design, and the fabulous faux-fur snow cuff. The felt lining protects aginst the cold, while a rubber shell gives you total water resistance. €130, www.sorel.com
3 ZDAR MAKSIM BOOT Inspired by the thick wool felt valenki boots worn for hundreds of years by Russian civilians and soldiers with warm feet, the Zdar boot is your armour against sub-zero temperatures. This lambswool boot is waterresistant, breathable, warm and offers folk-charm. They’re even said to keep you safe against flu and rheumatic diseases. €248, http://zdarboot.com METRO WORLD NEWS
1
2
3